Late model G80 / Mk2 ES2 info?

I am looking at a late model Mk2 ES2 Norton but want more info before I jump into this project. I have found a few pictures but nothing with any detail. I know that they are re-badged G80's because Berliner thought that Norton needed a single in the range. As I understand it neither Norton or Matchless riders were happy with the idea.
Where might I find a parts book / shop book and maybe sales brochures? Can't have to much info.
I will be out of town for a couple of weeks but will respond to any reply's as soon as I get back.

I'm familiar with the late Matchless singles with the Norton oil pump. I had a '66 G80CS up until a few years ago and also have ridden a '66 G80 road version (the one with the zig-zag lightning bolts on the tank). I thought the road bike was wonderful. Riding a Matchless single is a whole 'nuther world. Parts availability for late Matchless singles is very tough compared to the the '63 and earlier versions. The AJS/Matchless Owners Club in England (jampot.com) has a spares scheme and it is very good but that bike would be a rare bird.

I have a 55 AJS 18S that I don't ride as much as I should. Need to take it out for a New Years ride.
The 66 G80 should be here in February, I will post pictures when I get it. The guy I'm getting it from is coming for a visit so that will save me a 1200 mile round trip, but I will miss out on good Mexican food. TexMex doesn't cut it.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and have a prosperous New Years.

I should be picking it up in a month or so. Had to finish up one project before I took on another one. When I get it I will post pictures.
Thanks for the info, I have saved it to my favorites for future reference.

Letter in May 2016 Roadholder by Bill Cakebread described his book Motorcycle Apprentice. About his days working at AMC. Also new website- http://www.workingatamc.london. Not sure how to make that a link on my phone, but lots of interesting history there.
Rick

RE; “It needs to be remembered that, in the 1960s, no carbide-tipped tooling existed. It was all standard drills, taper shank drills and what were called core drills (4-fluted taper shank drills that came in all lengths and sizes). These generally had blunt ends and were designed in-house with stepped diameters according to what they were required to do.”

I don't agree with the above poster regarding parts availability for the late AMC singles. Pistons and rings can be a challenge, but there are ways ... e.g., using HD sportster pistons. ABSAF makes complete new engines (G80CS). Cylinder barrels may be re-lined. I suggest replacing the cylinder barrel with a G80CS item which is readily available.
Cylinder heads for the roadster are almost unobtainable - heads for the G80CS are far easier to come by - ABSAF sells them new.
Bottom end - timing gear - Russel Motors in London still stock parts. Baxter Cycle may hold some (ex. Domiracer stocks).
Oil pump - new ones are available from Andover Norton.
Big end - readily available from Alpha bearing, UK.
Transmission parts - readily available from several sources.
Cycle parts - mudguards and petrol tanks are hard to come by. The petrol tank was used on G12 and G15 twins too. Oil tank and battery carrier are avaiable s/h (AMC Classic Spares). l/h side covers are available from various sources. Foot rests are hard to come by try Russell Motors. Levers are readily available from various sources.
Fasteners - readily available from various sources, especially stainless parts. Try the AMOC spares scheme, or Andrew Engineering (UK).
Forks and wheel parts - readily available from various sources.
Most electrical parts are readily available, with the exception of the ATD, however, the latter is serviceable. ATD springs - try Baxter Cycle.
Speedometer - reconditionng and new parts are avaiable from a handful sources.

Well I have my newest project home and I am evaluating what I need. Took longer than I wanted to get it home but that is OK.
It is a 64 G80 standard bike in road trim. Came with a new seat that looks to be one of the repos done by Domi Racer. It had been sitting in a warm garage and the glue didn't hold so I am in the process of gluing in back into place.
I will be needing a chain guard which looks like the one on my N15. Also need the filler piece that goes between the tool / battery box and the oil tank, that I think will be a tough one to find!
Here are a few pictures of the bike with the tank and seat off of it.

Been doing a little work on the 64 G80. Re-packed the rear wheel bearings and discovered that the spacer between the backing plate and the swing arm was wrong. It looked to be one off of a Commando because it was to thin, I looked at my 66 N15 and I could see the difference. Good thing I am a pack rat and had the correct spacer in my stash of stuff. Stripped the backing plate and re-painted it. I also stripped off that awful black crinkle paint off the dish plate and cleaned up some of the other stuff. The tires are the wrong size and I will be replacing them as money allows.
Working on a wiring harness. Had an old harness off of a British bike and I took it apart so I could have the correct color codes.
Doing a little at a time, and a little each day to keep the project moving forward.

Been doing a little work on the 64 G80. Re-packed the rear wheel bearings and discovered that the spacer between the backing plate and the swing arm was wrong. It looked to be one off of a Commando because it was to thin, I looked at my 66 N15 and I could see the difference. Good thing I am a pack rat and had the correct spacer in my stash of stuff. Stripped the backing plate and re-painted it. I also stripped off that awful black crinkle paint off the dish plate and cleaned up some of the other stuff. The tires are the wrong size and I will be replacing them as money allows.
Working on a wiring harness. Had an old harness off of a British bike and I took it apart so I could have the correct color codes.
Doing a little at a time, and a little each day to keep the project moving forward.

John in Texas

Click to expand...

Most of the wiring is done. Just waiting for a care package with new Lucar bullets and the correct crimp tool for them. Hope to have them later this week.
A friend gave me a hobbyist lathe and I have been using it to make spacers and the like. Ordered up some spare parts from AMC Spares, got the correct lifting handles which is why I need the spacers. Just waiting on the next care package to come in.
At the end of the month I am headed to Davenport for the Blackhawk Motorcycle swap meet, maybe I will find a few of the bits I need for my project. We will see.
John in Texas

Well Davenport was a bit of a disappointment but I shouldn't be surprised. The British stuff is getting a bit thin on the ground.
The seat is wrong, well the pan is right but the foam isn't. I am ordering a seat cover from RK Leighton and I can trim the foam back just a little bit at the front. On the seat that came with it the foam road up on the back of the tank and wouldn't allow it to drop into the mount as it should. Found a center stand on ebay, it came with all the bits but was tweaked just a little bit. Had to massage it and it is now on the bike. Always something!
Hope to have it up and running for the first pie ride of 2018.

The seat that I got with the bike was wrong, well the seat pan was right but the foam and cover were sloped to sit up against the tank and that held the seat up and off of the mounts. Got some pictures of a correct seat and I was able to remove the cover and trim back the foam. Got a new cover from RK Leighton yesterday and will put it on today. The picture is from a correct bike.

Well the starter has been installed on the Commando and works well.
On the Matchless I installed a new Amal monoblock carburetor and new tires, fuel taps and it is all oiled up, hope to see if I can start it up later today. Have to try this left legged as I am pretty much bone on bone on my right knee.
Haven't gotten the chain guard yet Knut, but it is on the wish list.
My thanks to Lyndon Taylor of the North American AJSMOC section for his help and advise.

It lives. Only had to kick it over 3 times using my left leg and she came to life after lord knows how many years. With the new Amal Premier carburetor it settled down to a nice even idle. I was about to take it out on a short ride when I noticed some oil under it. The rocker box oil line had a crack in it. I was able to fix that easily enough. Sounds good and I will take it out for a ride tomorrow.
John in Texas